The 'Cousins'

Part Ninety-Six (Charlie)

Dedication: This chapter is dedicated to one of my cherished followers who is not only a delightful person, but also an inspired and talented writer. She does, however, need a bit of a push from us to enable her to overcome her nervousness and to take the plunge and publish here so that we can all enjoy the quality of her writing that so far, only I have been privileged to read. Lela, this chapter is for you and your next story, and please let it appear here on Wattpad for us all to enjoy!

A/N: This chapter continues directly from the last. Rejoin Wayne and Greg as they settle their differences in Ma Tooley's diner while they wait for her to cook them dinner.

CHAPTER NINETY-SIX (Charlie)

Reconciliation and Resolve ( Contd.)

“Not quite,” Wayne interjected, with firm insistence. “Let me put it to you like this; suppose he has those feelings for you. If Jess came up to you one day when you were alone together, put his arm around you all luvvie-duvvie like and said. ‘Greg I love you and I want you to love me ... I mean really love me, now, man on man, and if I can’t have you, I’ll have to leave you fer good.’ What would you do or say to that?”

The chair fell over backwards as Greg sprang up on his feet and rushed to the rear of the dining room with his hands covering his face. He stood facing the wall, gently banging his forehead against the woodwork. 

Wayne spoke quietly. “ It’s okay Greg. It’s okay, really it is. You can relax. Don’t try to reply or say anything. I’ve got my answer.”

Stillness filled the room, as it might before a storm; with only the sounds of the bumblebee buzz from the fluorescent light accompanied by the faint, dull thump of Greg’s forehead striking against the wooden wall panelling breaking the silence.

The all too familiar nausea climbed again through Greg’s body. His throat tightened and demons clawed at his innards. Wayne’s question ripped apart his resolve to maintain a platonic relationship with Jes by introducing an unconsidered exigency that plunged his intentions back into the depths of uncertainty and himself into despair.

An image of Jess floated into his consciousness from the mists of his mind and smiled at him before disappearing into the swirls of cerebral haze. Greg willed the image to return, but the shape that formed next was of the ancient, iron bound oak door of the courthouse on the day of his divorce. He choked at the painful memories it conjured and the image dispersed - its work done. 

He stood away from the wall and took several deep breaths before turning towards Wayne, seated at the table, upright and tense like a man expecting to come under attack. His face showed concern and anxiety, yet failed to conceal an underlying expression of pained dismay and disappointment.

An adrenalin rush brought calmness to Greg and with it came clarity of thought. 

“No you haven’t Wayne. It’s much deeper than you think.” Greg’s abrupt, smiling composure surprised Wayne and the words spoken by his friend unsettled him.

“Well what was that little performance all about then,” he snapped? “Don’t try an’ tell me I didn’t bowl a strike with my little scenario.”

He sounded smug and Greg, while flashing his friend a benevolent smile, pulled out a chair and sat down opposite Wayne; completely at ease.

“In a way you did, because you hit on a circumstance I hadn’t considered before, or rather one I sub-consciously avoided considering, but, you don’t need to worry...’

“You keep saying that, but what’s going on at Fishers is the biggest thing that’s ever likely to happen for me; and for you too. You’ve taken a fall, a hard fall, and it’s changed you; that you can’t deny an’ it’s not just me sayin’ so. I just have to be sure you’re one hundred percent sound and signed up for the duration before I dare tell you the whole story.”